Work started last week on exterior improvements at St. Francis Borgia Regional High School.
President George Wingbermuehle said the front steps to the school were completely removed and are being replaced with wider steps.
“The steps were deteriorating and in bad shape,” Wingbermuehle said. “Along with that work we decided to add a student gathering area in the front as well, with a fountain, picnic table and concrete benches.
“Washington Engineering helped us put together the plan,” he added.
Moira Vossbrink, marketing director, said the area will provide a nice spot for students waiting to be picked up or to do their homework.
A new ramp will be constructed on the west side of the steps connecting to the football field and track.
Wingbermuehle said the steps should be completed in about three weeks.
Holtmeier-Sherrell Concrete Inc., Washington, is the contractor.
In addition to the changes to the front of the building, the school entrance off High Street will be aligned with Ridgeview Drive to create a four-way intersection.
This will improve safety at this entrance, which is a one-way street into the school, Wingbermuehle said.
“We also plan to go to the city for stop signs there as well,” he said.
The digital sign at that entrance will not need to be moved for the new entrance and only a few trees and plants have to be moved.
Wingbermuehle said that project is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 1, the start of the Washington Town and Country Fair. The high school parking lot is one of thee shuttle parking lots for the Fair.
“In all, we’re spending about $110,000 for the capital improvements which were budgeted for,” he said.
Wingbermuehle said Borgia also received a $20,000 grant from the Archdiocese of St. Louis for the step project.
The co-ed Catholic high school will open for the 2012-13 year on Aug. 10 for freshmen and Aug. 13 for all students.
Vossbrink said the school will have a “healthy” enrollment of about 545 students.
